Manure spill causes fish die-off in Franklin County, PA

[Ian David]

GLIDE Number: BH-20070512-11299-USA
Date / time: 12/05/2007 10:06:04
Event: Biological Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: State of Pennsylvania
City: Unknow
Number of Deads: None or unknow
Number of Injured: None or unknow
Damage level: Minor

Description:
The Borough of Mercersburg became alarmed Friday afternoon when hundreds of dead fish were seen floating along the Johnston Run stream. The stream, a popular fishing site for children, was polluted by manure run-off from a nearby farm, according to state and local officials. Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection, Franklin County Emergency Management, and the Fish and Boat Commission converged on the scene Friday afternoon to investigate the case. "It appears to be related to a spill upstream, most likely manure," said Tom Burrell, assistant superintendent of the Fish and Boat Commission. No charges have been filed and the case is under investigation. There are a number of fields near the area, said John Repetz, DEP spokesman. "It appears to be manure runoff into the Johnston Run stream," he said, adding the farm from which this occurred appears to be Mercer Vu Farms Inc. The farm is owned by Ronald Hissong, of 215 E. Seminary St., along with his wife and sons. Richard Hissong, son of Ronald Hissong, said he was sorry about the incident, and if his farm is found liable, he would gladly do what is necessary to rectify the problem. "We follow the rules by not applying manure within 24 hours of a major rainfall event," he said. "When the storm clouds appeared at 5 p.m. Thursday, we stopped applying manure."

Richard said that other farms in the area were also applying nutrients to their respective fields, but mother nature just threw his farm a curve ball. "We had one-and-a-quarter inch of rain in less than half an hour," he said. Mercer Vu Farms Inc. is one of the largest dairy farms in Mercersburg. The Hissong family raises forage crops to feed their dairy cows. In addition to having a CAFO permit, which regulates concentrated animal feeding operations, Richard said the farm also has a nutrient management plan approved by the Franklin County Conservation department. "We try to be the best stewards of the land that we can be," he said. "We want to do the best job that we can do to protect the environment." "It's unfortunate," said Mercersburg Fire Chief Dusty Stoner. "But it could have happened to any farmer." Repetz said DEP first learned of the problem Friday morning when someone called with a complaint. By the afternoon, there were more complaints, he said. Anthony J. Quarracino, an officer with the state Fish and Boat Commission, visited the site of the compaints in downtown Mercersburg, where he collected the fish as evidence. A crowd of people had gathered in the area off of Main Street behind the fire company. "We responded to a report of fish kill on Johnston Run," Quarracino said. "When I arrived, there were people on the scene, includng the borough manager, police chief and members of the fire department."

Quarracino said the pollution extends about three miles downstream to the west branch of the Conococheague Creek. He said the case is under investigation by his department and DEP. No charges have been filed, but he said the pollution of water is a misdeamor crime. Like the other state officials, Quarracino described the pollution as an agriculture runoff from torrential rains on Thursday evening. "We've been in touch with the owner," he said, adding the fish died because of a lack of oxygen content caused by the pollution. At this time there will be no posting of warnings signs because all the fish are dead and there is no risk of anyone being harmed. Furthermore, he said, most of the people in the community are aware of the problem. Christina French of 32 N. Park Ave., Mercersburg, she she learned of the problem around noon when her parents took her four-year-old nephew for a walk near the stream in the downtown area. "They saw lots of dead fish, trout, suckers, and a school of minnows by the hundreds," she said. "My son fishes down there all the time." Her sister, Victoria Mickley, of 22 W. Seminary St., Mercersburg, said the stream is usually stocked for children by the Mercersburg Sportsman club. "We saw a nineteen-inch rainbow trout just floating by," she said.

More:
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?lang=eng&cid=11299

[Demit]

1. O no! Those poor fush!

:)

[Ian David]

3. If you don't have diarrhea, thank a Liberal. n/t

[hippiechick]

2. Where have all the fushes gone?

:cry:

[liberal N proud]

4. I bet that smelled fushy

What is a fush?
Sorry, I couldn't leave it alone.

[Webster Green]

5. First it was the fisk, now its the fush..

We're doomed!:P

[Ian David]

6. "Take this medication with food."

Now I know why it says that.